Weekend Box Office: 'Dunkirk' Thrives on Oscar Buzz

The weekend movie box office belonged to "Dunkirk" again, drawing $28.1 million in its second week at theaters and outdistancing No. 2 the "Emoji Movie" and No. 3 "Atomic Blonde." Credit Oscar buzz for the win.

"Dunkirk," the World War II epic by Christopher Nolan based on the true story of the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation in France, made $50 million in its first week, Variety reported.

The "Emoji Movie" captured $25.7 in 4,075 locations while "Dunkirk" beat it showing in 3,748 locations.

"Atomic Blonde," starring Academy Award-winner Charlize Theron, came in third, making $18.5 million in 3,304 theaters. Variety said the movie was expected to make $20 million in its opening.

French filmmaker Luck Besson, whose science fiction movie "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets," opened the same weekend as "Dunkirk" questioned why that film opened in the middle of the summer instead of the end of the year to improve its awards position.

"In the entire industry, no one understands what ('Dunkirk') is doing here," Beeson told Vanity Fair. "Typically this kind of film — great director, important subject — comes in November, going for Oscars. Why in July? It doesn't make sense."

Superheroes movies are still topping the day this summer. "Spider-Man: Homecoming" earned $13.45 million in its fourth week, giving the movie a $278.35 million take domestically overall and positioning it to be the third biggest hit this summer next to "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" and "Wonder Woman," Forbes magazine said.

"Dunkirk," though, continued to receive strong positive comments on social media.

Just watched Dunkirk. Wow. Everyone should get down to see it. Powerful.

The weekend movie box office belonged to "Dunkirk" again, drawing $28.1 million in its second week at theaters and outdistancing No. 2 the "Emoji Movie" and No. 3 "Atomic Blonde." Credit Oscar buzz for the win.